Stories from 1 September 2009
Global Voices + Conversations for a Better World
A new blog sponsored by the UNFPA called Conversations for a Better World has commissioned Global Voices bloggers to help them highlight online conversations about population and development around the world.
Bhutan: World's Youngest Democracy
Liz Warren at Teaching in Thimphu comments on the progress of the people of the world's youngest democracy: “Bhutanese are increasingly inundated with ads telling them what to want, news telling them what to believe, and programs (usually made outside of Bhutan) explaining what’s cool, it is an opportune time...
Nepal: Democracy Infiltrated By The Communists
“Nepal’s democracy has been skillfully infiltrated and brutally exploited by (the) communists”, comments Nepali Perspectives
Pakistan: A Reality Show Death
The death of a reality TV show contestant in Pakistan in an accident while filming the show has generated much debate among online and offline communities. Kalsoom at CHUP discusses the reality of the reality TV.
Jamaica: Reggae Shows Cancelled
As Jamaican reggae artist Buju Banton suffers from the cancellation of international shows thanks to his homophobic lyrics, The Wickedest Time says: “I don't get offended by the music, mainly because its practically a cultural norm…but we have to think about the people we offend.”
Nepal: Taking On The Challenge Of Climate Change
Climate change is a hot topic in Nepal now as studies show that many people in the country are facing hunger due to frequent droughts and melting glaciers are also threatening millions.
Bahamas, T.C.I., U.S.A.: Google & Democracy
As Google states that it may very well hand over journalists’ IP addresses in connection with the exposure of alleged corruption in the Turks and Caicos, Bahamian blogger Nicolette Bethel comments: “Google’s action threatens the ability — indeed the possibility — for true democracy ever to exist in these, our...
Trinidad & Tobago: Sensationalism
Survivein’ Trinidad is appalled by the decision of a local newspaper to publish on its front page a photograph of an infant who was killed in a car crash: “It was insensitive, sensationalist and IT IS NOT JOURNALISM!!!!”
Bermuda: Consistent Message
“The announcement that the expat with a cannabis conviction has been granted a work permit because of his importance to the international business community is disappointing”: Bermuda's 21 Square thinks that the move “simply does not send the right message.”
Jamaica, U.S.A., Canada: Health Care
Jamaican diaspora blogger Pamela Mordecai examines U.S. President Obama's health care plan and says of the controversial abortion issue: “If we truly want women not to have abortions, what we must do is create a social, economic, and moral context that will encourage them to keep their babies.”
Ecuador: The Latest BarCamp Held in Santa Elena Province
Ecuador's third BarCamp in 2009 took place on August 29, away from the larger cities, and was held in the province of Santa Elena with the special emphasis on technology for education and business.
South Africa: Free tickets to Mobile Web Africa 2009
Mike writes about free tickets for Mobile Web Africa 2009 that will take place in South Africa: “Matthew Dawes is organising Mobile Web Africa 2009 on the 13 and 14 October at the Michelangelo, and has kindly offered a range of freebies and discounts for me to promote to you,...
Peru: Taking Care of the Amazon River
The ongoing problem of the trash contamination of the Amazon River is a concern to De la Selva Su Web On [es], who writes that the river should be taken care of, especially as it is being promoted as a Wonder of the World.
El Salvador: The Issue with Street Protests
Street protests in El Salvador are of a concern for Chambita Hernandez of Gatos Frentudos [es], who writes that everyone has the right to free speech, but that it should not interfere with others’ right to free transit.
Cuba: National Team to Compete in Baseball World Cup
Mi Columna Deportiva [es] analyzes the roster for the Cuban national baseball team that will participate in the 2009 Baseball World Cup. Many of the players are returning from the Olympic and World Baseball Championship teams.
Brazil: Can black people drive luxury cars?
A black man was assaulted in a supermarket car park in São Paulo when security guards accused him of planning to steal his own car, fuelling a debate by bloggers about the myth of Brazil as a racial democracy.
Kyrgyzstan: Celebrating Independence Day
Sergey publishes a photo-post about the celebration of 18 years of independence in Kyrgyzstan, often dubbed as the «island of democracy» in Central Asia.
China: Newly invented Han characters
Recently the Ministry of Education of PRC has announced a list of 44 Han characters to be adjusted in their writing style. The adjustments were so insignificant and redundant that most netizens criticized the ministry of creating trouble. Even the Xinhua news described the adjustment as “plastic surgery”. However, the...
Kazakhstan: Chronicles of the Rights Activist’s Case
Sorge writes that discrepancies in the media reports about the criminal case against the well-known human rights activist, along with the contradictory results of the expert examinations trigger concerns of the general public in Kazkahstan.
Uzbekistan: Pilgrims to be protected against swine flu
Kkreator reports that the authorities of Uzbekistan are planning to take preventive measures for the protection of the Muslim pilgrims (Haji) and the general population from the Type A flu.
Kazkahstan: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Past and Future
Timur writes about the history and present condition of the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan – the largest and oldest operational space center in the world.
